PrepTest 148

Incorrect. This might explain why the otters moved in, but the paradox is why, after this predator moved in, abalones evolved to be bigger.

Incorrect. The specific species that evolved is out of scope—all that matters is that they were bigger.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Paradox

Stimulus Summary:
General rule Ð Large abalones evolve from small ones when they spend less on hunting/avoiding predators, and more on mating.
Surprising exception Ð Some large abalones evolved from small ones after otters (a predator) moved in

Answer Anticipation:
A general rule is given, and then a situation is raised that seems to run counter to that general rule. In order to resolve this situation, we need to take the information from the situation and make it fit into the general rule.

That general rule tells us that abalones that evolve into bigger ones—as they did in the scenario—only do so when they spend less energy on hunting/avoiding predators, and more on mating. Therefore, the otters—despite being predators of abalones—must have made it possible for abalones to spend less energy on hunting and avoiding predators, and more on mating. Something about the otters changed the environment in a way that made that possible.

Answer Explanation:
This answer highlights a change brought about by the otters that conforms to the general rule stated. If the otters preyed on the abalone's food competitors and made it easier for them to get food, then they'd spend less energy on hunting, freeing up energy for mating. This explains how the abalones could evolve to be bigger despite a predator moving in, so it resolves the paradox.

Key Takeaway:
In Paradox questions that introduce a general rule, the correct answer should make the situation that seems to "break" that rule actually conform to it.

Incorrect. The speed of reproduction isn't mentioned in the stimulus, and it's unclear how it plays into energy utilization or evolution.

Incorrect. Since the large abalones developed from the small ones "only after" otters moved in, this introduces a whole new paradox.